Christopher Gribble is serving a life sentence for first-degree murder in the death, but it was his sentences for several associated charges that were at issue in court Friday.

Along with the murder of Kimberly Cates, Gribble was convicted of attempted murder, conspiracy, burglary and witness tampering. Those sentences amount to an additional 75 years in prison on top of Gribble's life sentence.

Defense attorney Donna Brown argued before the three-judge panel that because Gribble was only 19 years old at the time of the crime and he had no prior criminal record, those sentences were too harsh.

Prosecutor Jeffery Strelzin said in this case, the punishments truly fit the crime.